Millions of people submit CVs every day but only a handful get the jobs. The labour market is a very competitive one and a good CV will give you an edge.
Here are 12 things you should never include in your CV.
1. Do not include irrelevant work experiences in your CV. You should only include this if it showcases additional skills that can translate to the position you’re applying for.
2. Adding an objective to your CV isn’t necessary. By applying for the job, your prospective employer knows your objective.
3. Your prospective employer doesn’t care about your hobbies. Please don’t bother adding them.
4. Your religious preference isn’t an information your prospective employer needs. Your prospective employer is supposed to employ anyone irrespective of their religious preference.
5. Avoid writing references upon request at the bottom of your CV. There’s really no point because if your employer wants to speak to your references, they’ll ask you.
6. Avoid writing your CV in the third or first person. Words like “I”, “me”, “she” or “my” should be avoided because it is understood everything on your CV is about you and your experiences.
7. You should never describe a past work experience using the present tense.
8. Your email address matters. Avoid using email addresses that don’t look professional. Emails like ‘[email protected]’ should be avoided.
9. Your prospective employer doesn’t need your past salary information on your CV. Your CV is supposed to showcase your professional experience and skills. Adding your past salary on your CV sends the wrong information.
10. Avoid using fancy fonts. Go for a standard, sans-serif font like Arial.
11. You should avoid including the reason you left your previous job on your CV.
12. Phrases and words like “go-getter”, “ability to think outside the box” and “people pleaser” turns off prospective employers.
Phil